French actresses who were born in 1903
Here are 7 famous actresses from France were born in 1903:
Claudette Colbert
Claudette Colbert (September 13, 1903 Saint-Mandé-July 30, 1996 Speightstown) also known as Lily Claudette Chauchoin, Emilie Claudette Chauchoin, Lily, Émilie Chauchoin, Emilie Chauchoin, Émilie "Lily" Chauchoin or Lily Emilie Chauchoin was a French actor, comedian and singer.
She began her career in French cinema in the 1920s before transitioning to Hollywood in 1928. Colbert quickly became one of the most popular and versatile actresses of the 1930s and 1940s, starring in films such as "It Happened One Night," for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress, "The Palm Beach Story," and "Since You Went Away."
Colbert's career spanned over six decades, and she continued to act in films and television shows well into her 70s. In addition to her acting career, she was also known for her work as a supporter of women's rights and civil liberties. Colbert passed away in 1996 at the age of 92 in Barbados, where she had retired to after her long career in Hollywood.
Simone Mareuil
Simone Mareuil (August 25, 1903 Périgueux-October 24, 1954 Périgueux) also known as Simone Marevil, Marie Louise Simone Vacher, Simonne Mareuil or Simonne was a French actor.
Mareuil began her career as a dancer and worked as a model before entering the film industry. She appeared in several French films, including "Entr'acte" and "L'Age d'Or," both directed by Luis Buñuel. However, she is perhaps best known for her iconic appearance in the surrealist short film "Un Chien Andalou," also directed by Buñuel, in which her eye is famously slit open with a razor blade. After a brief career in films, Mareuil left the industry to focus on her family and personal life. Tragically, she suffered from mental health issues in her later years and took her own life at the age of 51. Despite her short career, Mareuil's performances continue to captivate audiences and inspire filmmakers to this day.
Yvonne Dany
Yvonne Dany (November 1, 1903 Paris-June 5, 1985 Vichy) also known as Yvonne Danny, Yvonne Dani or Yvonne Trigeron was a French actor.
She began her career on stage in the 1920s before transitioning to film in the 1930s. Dany appeared in over 50 films throughout her career, often playing the role of the elegant and sophisticated leading lady. Some of her most notable roles include the films "Maman Colibri" (1937), "Les Cinq Sous de Lavarède" (1939), and "Le Notre-Dame de Paris" (1956). In addition to her acting career, Dany was also a talented singer and recorded several popular songs in the 1930s. She retired from acting in the early 1960s and lived a quiet life in Vichy until her death in 1985 at the age of 81.
Muse Dalbray
Muse Dalbray (March 14, 1903 Belleville, Paris-January 29, 1998 Paris) a.k.a. Georgette Céline Corsin, Muse d'Albray or Muse d'Albret was a French actor.
She began her career in the 1920s, appearing in films such as "La voyante" and "La nuit est à nous". She gained fame in the 1930s with her roles in French cinema, starring in movies like "La Femme en homme" and "Le Secret de l'émeraude". Dalbray also acted on stage, performing in productions of plays by Molière and Racine.
During World War II, Dalbray was involved in the Resistance and served as a courier. She continued acting after the war, appearing in films such as "The Wages of Fear" and "Touchez pas au grisbi". She was also a regular on French television in the 1960s and 1970s, appearing in shows like "Les Cinq Dernières Minutes" and "Les Enquêtes du commissaire Maigret".
Dalbray was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1984 for her contributions to French culture. She continued to act into her 90s, with her final film role being in 1996's "Beaumarchais, l'insolent".
Jacqueline Casadesus
Jacqueline Casadesus (September 6, 1903 Paris-October 17, 1976 Batz-sur-Mer) a.k.a. Pianavia was a French singer, actor and pianist.
Born into a family of musicians, Casadesus began playing piano at an early age and quickly developed her skills. She made her debut as a pianist at the age of 17, and went on to perform in numerous concerts throughout Europe and the United States.
In addition to her music career, Casadesus also pursued acting and singing. She appeared in several films, and recorded a number of songs which became popular in France.
Casadesus was married to Henri Casadesus, a well-known violist who founded the International Viola Congress. The couple had three children, all of whom became musicians: Robert Casadesus, a pianist; Jean Casadesus, a conductor; and Gaby Casadesus, a violinist.
Throughout her career, Casadesus was widely respected for her musical talent and her contributions to the arts. She passed away in Batz-sur-Mer, France in 1976, but her legacy continues to live on through her recordings and performances.
Jeanne Helbling
Jeanne Helbling (July 26, 1903 Thann-August 6, 1985 New York City) also known as Johanna Marie Helbling was a French actor.
She starred in numerous French films throughout the 1920s and 1930s, including "Le Collier de la reine" (1929) and "Les 5 gentlemen maudits" (1931). During World War II, she fled to the United States and continued her acting career in Hollywood, appearing in films such as "Casablanca" (1942) and "The Devil and Miss Jones" (1941). In addition to her work on screen, Helbling was also a stage actor, performing in French and English productions in both Europe and America. She continued to act until the late 1960s, and was known for her elegant and sophisticated on-screen presence.
Anny Ondra
Anny Ondra (May 15, 1903 Tarnów-February 28, 1987 Hollenstedt) also known as Anna Sophie Ondrakova, Any Ondra, A. Ondráková, Anny Ondráková, Anna Ondráková or Anna Sophie Ondráková was a French actor and film producer.
Anny Ondra began her acting career in her native Czechoslovakia, where she starred in a number of successful films before being discovered by German director Alfred Hitchcock. She went on to star in his film "Blackmail" in 1929, which marked Hitchcock's first sound film and Ondra's introduction to the English-speaking world.
Despite her success in "Blackmail," Ondra struggled with English and her thick Czech accent, leading her to take a break from acting and focus on producing for several years. She eventually returned to acting, but her career never quite recovered from the setback.
Outside of her work in film, Ondra was known for her adventurous personal life, which included a brief affair with Prince George, Duke of Kent. She also enjoyed sports and was a skilled tennis player.
Anny Ondra passed away in 1987 at the age of 83, but her legacy as one of the early stars of European and English-language cinema lives on.